OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County School District reports eighteen students have been excluded from North Elementary School for a period of 24 days.

The health department will contact these individuals with instructions. The students will be transitioned to Option 2 during the 14 days.

The district has been notified by the Department of Health that a student at North Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The student was last on campus Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020.

The district is working closely with the Florida Department of Health to identify those who may have been in direct contact with the student. They will assist in the department’s efforts to provide information in regards to contact tracing. If you have potentially been exposed, the Department of Health will reach out to you as a part of the contact tracing efforts. They will protect the confidentiality of those involved in this incident.

School personnel have taken the necessary steps to sanitize any areas which may have been compromised, as outlined in the District’s Reopening Plan. The district continues to adhere to CDC guidelines, which include the use face coverings, maintaining social distancing whenever possible, and checking the temperature of everyone who arrives on campus. They encourage everyone to be observant of symptoms that could develop within the next 14 days. You may want to seek advice on testing from a medical professional or be tested immediately if symptoms arise.

All students and staff must remain home while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. It is very important that any student or staff member who takes a COVID-19 immediately notify the Human Resources Department at 863-462-5000, Ext. 1022.